In Aug. 2015, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) got a visit from Mike Maletic, senior legal counsel at Apple. The Guardian obtained documents suggesting that the conversation focused on "autonomous vehicle regulations."
The rules detail the required standards for producers who want to see their driverless vehicles rolling on public roads.
The rumors regarding Apple's interest in crafting an electric unmanned vehicle seem to stand, especially since the iPhone maker has been hiring hundreds of automotive specialists. Its recruitment strategy is aimed at Tesla engineers and developers and so far, the brain drain from Tesla to Apple has been consistent.
An engineering program manager was already assigned to the project, dubbed "Titan." This could mean that the vehicle is ready to leave the lab. This will be a great challenge for Apple's secretive policies, however. In order to start testing the car, DMV requires the producer to make public a lot of private data, including make, model and vehicle identification number. Even the test pilots have to be individually identified.
An exclusive report from AppleInsider earlier this year backs the fact that development of Project Titan is in full swing at a secret testing facility in Sunnyvale, California, codenamed SG5. The refurbishment of the facility is rumored to cost $4.6 million, arousing curiosity and making competitors nervous. In an attempt to keep the research private, Apple is said to have contracted SixtyEight Research, a shell company that conceals the actual trials conducted by the iPhone producer.
It might not be a coincidence that just last month Apple purchased a new property worth $138 million in San Jose, where the company could start R&D or even assembly work on Project Titan.
BMW's i3 made a strong impression on Apple executives, which prompted the two corporations to discuss a possible cooperation. "[BMW] abandoned traditional approaches to car making," Apple concluded after studying the German producer's approach.
The Cupertino company is taking a big chance by attacking the autonomous vehicle market. Competition is tough, with established car producers as General Motors, Tesla, Continental, Volkswagen-Audi, Nissan and Google having a head start in the process.
Apple refused to make any comments on this story.
Photo: Ed and Eddie | Flickr
